Chesterfield boss James Rowe slams 'shenanigans' leading up to Solihull Moors defeat as 'unacceptable'

The Spireites boss was unhappy at having to play the same team twice in three days after a 10-day isolation period following positive Covid tests in the camp.

Town conceded in added time to lose 2-1 at Damson Park after taking the lead through Tom Denton in the first half.

Joe Sbarra equalised for the hosts after the break before Kyle Hudlin headed the winner as the Blues lost their first match in seven.

Speaking after his first defeat as Chesterfield manager, Rowe said: “It is a kick in the teeth, they are really down in there because they have given their all, but it goes back again that we are playing two games in three days and we have had 10 days off, the game should not happen.

“For me we should not be playing the game, we have been forced into a corner to play the game, I am disappointed because it showed in the second half. I have had to make quick substitutions because we lost legs quite quickly in the second half. It was too much for Tom (Whelan), he had to come off.

“I don’t want to comment on (where the pressure to play the match came from) but the shenanigans leading into this game is unacceptable.

“To play the same team twice in three days is unheard of, I have never known it in football so why we are doing it I don’t know.

“The wellbeing of the players and my staff is everything because without your health in life you have got nothing.

“It might sound like sour grapes but I would say the same thing if we had won the game because I said the same thing in the press conference.”

The defeat means Chesterfield drop a place to 17th in the National League table, four points off the play-offs positions and 10 above the relegation zone.

The Spireites are next in action on Saturday when they travel to ninth-placed Bromley who are three points ahead of them.